Beschreibung:

A FINE AND RARE ETCHED AND INLAID GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING GUN
DATED 1573
A FINE AND RARE ETCHED AND INLAID GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING GUN DATED 1573 With sighted long octagonal smooth-bore barrel decorated with etched panels of delicate scrolling tendrils and flowers, the lock etched with further tendril patterns involving interlaced strapwork and set within border designs of fine interlace, with domed wheel-cover etched en suite and retaining traces of original gilding, safety-catch, and sliding pan-cover with button release, fruitwood full stock profusely inlaid with engraved horn plaques over its full length, involving a group of peasants in the manner of Breugel merrymaking over the left-hand side of the butt, scenes from the chase, and all on a complex ground of scrolling flowers, ballflowers, and pellets set within segmental lines, iron trigger-guard with long molded finial, engraved horn ramrod-pipe and fore-end cap, horn butt-plate engraved with the owwner's coat-of-arms and the date 1573, and horn-tipped wooden ramrod. 70¾ in. (179.5 cm.) long